- Greyhound Star | News from the Greyhound Industry

Romford stage the semi finals of the (Cat 1) Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes and the (Cat 2) Coral Romford Standard Trophy this evening as part of a 13 all-open race card.

Racing Manager Mark Arkell has offered some thoughts on the make-up of the six semi finals:

(Note – races are not reproduced in chronological order)

“The opportunity for Drive On Lad is there for everyone to see. He has won his last three and can only benefit from the empty trap on his inside. Besides, I don’t think Droopys Google is the tightest of railers. I was impressed with Haka Carlo last time out, and if he gets a clear run, he doesn’t have much to find on last week’s run. A lot will depend on whether Whyaye Man bores in from trap five. Apart from Lad, Bedrock Wilma is the best drawn in the race and to almost hold off Warzone Tom suggests she is definitely in with a decent chance.”

Betting 2-1 Drive On Lad, 3-1 Droopys Google, 10-3 Bedrock Wilma, 4-1 Haka Carlo, 11-2 Whyayeman

“After his track record in the first round, Hollow Man will obviously be very well fancied, particularly if he reproduces that sectional which was just half a length outside the sprint track record. Obviously he will be reliant on Burrows Sapphire holding his line. We had so many railers entered that these kind of draws are inevitable which could play into the hands of the former record holder Warzone Tom. He is getting on a bit now and it might be time for the younger generation to take over, but he is still a very decent dog and trap six won’t worry him in the slightest.”

Betting: 1-2 Hollow Man, 5-1 Warzone Tom, 6-1 Ballintee Noshow, 12-1 Burrows Sapphire, Maglass Brave, 22-1 Longacres Nutty

“You would have to say that this looks the most competitive of the three semis. I would expect Candolim Monsoon to be well supported, but Ninja Kerry can probably lead and as a Derby finalist, he will take some catching. Minnie Bullet never runs a bad race here and Havana Top Note is always capable of a fast run. A real tough one to call.”

Betting: 11-8 Candolim Monsoon, 10-3 Ninja Kerry, 9-2 Havana Top Note, 7-1 Minnie Bullet, 8-1 Gutsy Jet, 14-1 Drumdoit Jack

“This would have made a good final. You would expect Hawkfield Ozark to be very prominent and probably lead; certainly if he reproduces his 3.69 sectional. I was pleasantly surprised how well Saffrons Dash went in his heat. Of the locals, Jeopary James is probably the worst drawn, though it has worked out well for Maxine Locke’s two.”

Betting: 4-7 Hawkfield Ozark, 4-1 Whitewood Lenny, 13-2 Saffrons Dash, 8-1 Oh Cosmopolitan, 10-1 Headford Lola, 50-1 Jeopardy James

“Five locals in here and its nice to see Michael Hurst make the journey from the North East with Stormy News. Michael has become quite a regular visitor over time. It would be very difficult to choose between them. I would think Ojay Rocket looks the best drawn in the race; certainly if it was a graded race I would be putting him in trap one.”

Betting: 2-1 Aero Convey, Hopes Sparkie, 5-1 Laid Back Patsy, Stormy News, 7-1 Ojays Rocket, 33-1 Drumdoit Ace

“I think most of the locals would make this a case of ‘whoever pings between four and five’ would have to hold a big advantage in the dash to the thrid bend. Personally, I think they might have been better drawn the other way around. History has been running well graded and should get a run on the outside.”